Virginia Katherine (Graf) Rand

Virginia Katherine (Graf) Rand, 96, of Camillus, passed away Friday, September 23, at Francis House.

Virginia was born in 1926 in Syracuse and raised on Tennyson Avenue on Tipperary Hill.  Her parents, Marie and Simon Graf, were Ellis Island immigrants from Germany who met in Syracuse in 1910.  Virginia was a graduate of Central High School and received her BSN from Syracuse University School of Nursing. She was married to Lt. William J. Rand in 1945 and, as the mother of a military family, she resided in seven different states before settling in Camillus in 1975. Virginia was a nurse at several hospitals and clinics across the country for over 25 years. Her last employment was at Providence Hospital in West Springfield, MA before retiring in 1974.

Virginia was a passionate photographer and won many photography awards at the New York State Fair.  She was also a long-standing photographic contributor to the Thousand Islands Sun.  Virginia was a member of the Red Hat Society, an avid reader, and adored her cats. She enjoyed traveling with her companion, Martin, and spending time at their cottage in the Thousand Islands.  Above all, she loved spending time with her family.

Virginia was predeceased by her parents, Marie and Simon Graf; brother, Leonard Graf; sisters, Arlene Graf and Margie Palka; and companion, Martin Schlecht.

Surviving are her six children, William (Kathy) of Roanoke, VA, Scott (Merrilyne Hendrickson) of Annapolis, MD, Barbara (Ronald) Ruel of Port St. Lucie, FL, Christopher (Lisa) of Poughkeepsie, NY, Kurt (Amy) of Tampa, FL and Karl (Connie) of San Diego, CA; 11 grandchildren, Tabitha Rand, William Rand IV, Remington Rand, Jackson Rand, Jillian Rand, Katherine Ruel Riess, Allison Ruel Hoffman, Alexis Rand, Mitchell Rand, Lawrence Rand, and Vivian Rand; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will hold a private service at a later date.

Virginia will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery, Wellesley Island, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to HumaneCNY, 4915 W. Taft Rd., Liverpool, NY 13088 or to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208.